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CARGO NEWS
maximum of 3.5m tonnes of cargo that is transported through Hong Kong International airport. It enables all stakeholders, including freight forwarders, airlines, and government departments in Hong Kong, to monitor and process the air cargo shipments 24 hours a day. Since the system’s launch in 2011, more than 100 airlines and 1,000 freight forwarders have been using the system to manage their cargo efficiently, online or through mobile phones.
Freight up at Lambert St Louis
Lambert St Louis International airport has received a welcome boost to its drive to increase freight and logistics activity, with the April opening of a brand new 200,000 square foot (18,600 square metre) facility for TAGG Logistics at Free Trade Zone 102, which is adjacent to the airport. The new logistics centre replaces
TAGG’s three current sites around the city, improving its efficiency and adding 35% to its capacity. It will feature high- specification bulk distribution space, multiple kitting and assembly lines, a high-volume order-picking system and a state-of-the-art warehouse management system. TAGG Logistics has successfully carved a niche for itself as a third-party distribution, fulfilment and logistics specialist for mid-sized manufacturers. Its current business centres on order fulfilment for clients selling healthcare and consumer products via e-commerce, catalogue and direct response television; distribution to major retail outlets; and added-value services such as re-packing and labelling. Some 60% of TAGG’s freight flows
are already international. Although most of its inbound freight currently arrives by ocean container, its ambitions to further develop its healthcare business are likely to see it move more into premium product lines, whose default transport mode is airfreight. At the same time, TAGG’s flourishing fulfilment business is driving steady growth in small packages to consumers, a growing proportion of whom (already 20%) are located outside the US. Says TAGG’s Principal, Tod Yazdi: “Our new facility will be one of the most advanced third party logistics centres in the Midwest. It perfectly positions TAGG Logistics for growing healthcare companies and others that need to take logistics to the next level. “We strongly promote St Louis and the Midwest as an ideal location for distribution. This is also our first operation in a free trade zone, and it will add a new dimension to our capabilities
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2013
for clients, particularly in sectors such as high-end medical devices, where we are targeting growth.”
STL Cargo Development Director, David Lancaster, underlined the comments. “We are delighted that TAGG is relocating within the airport logistics community, and investing so heavily in its future development here. It’s a vote of confidence in St Louis and its airport as an ideal location for domestic and international logistics. “TAGG’s presence adds considerably to the collective resources and capabilities within the airport cluster, and will contribute to our drive to regenerate air cargo traffic levels through St Louis.”
Warehouse operating system deemed a success
NIIT Technologies recently announced the successful implementation of its WOS (Warehouse Operating System), an integrated cargo management solution, to manage the cargo handling operations of Cathay Pacific Services at its brand new Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal, specially designed for cargo hub operations, will provide an extensive range of cargo handling services to customers. A revolutionary just- in-time operational philosophy has been adopted at the Terminal, with advanced technology employed to reduce the waiting and processing time for cargo handling. Customers will benefit from extended cut-off times, last minute cargo acceptance and a reduced connection handling time for transhipments. WOS is the core cargo handling IT system, which is implemented using open, component based and n-tier architecture to provide a flexible and scalable solution. A unique advantage of WOS is its rich functionality, which will enable Cathay to handle and manage its processes and ensure regulatory compliance while guaranteeing a high performance. WOS has many innovative features that will enable the client to monitor bottlenecks in workflow and assure higher service levels with a user- friendly interface.
Kenyan cargo handler invests in new facility
Kenya is arguably set to take up the mantle of East Africa’s economic power house, thanks to rapid economic growth, coupled with a mixture of factors that include a stronger democracy and political stability,
improved conditions for doing business, a mobile telecommunication revolution and the discovery of valuable oil and coal deposits towards the Northern region.
The East African region cargo business is set to further receive a boost in cargo handling capacity following the September 2013 launch of Siginon Aviation’s airside cargo terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi. This is in addition to an airside terminal at Eldoret International airport, which is currently operating an increasing number of charter flights that are ferrying building equipment to meet the property boom in Eldoret town. Siginon Aviation has been in operation in Kenya since 1997 and is located at both Nairobi and Eldoret International. Following consultation with various industry experts and taking into account the customer demands for a safe, secure and efficient cargo handling operation, Siginon Aviation embarked on the US$10m state-of- the-art air cargo terminal, which is airside at the airport. This unique facility boasts the longest access airside as well as offering unique proximity to the passenger terminal. This therefore allows the straightforward handling of cargo loaded in both freighter and passenger aircraft.
Moses Wahome, Siginon Aviation
Project Manager, asserts that the design and structure of this terminal had been guided by global standards of optimal cargo handling, underlined by focusing on safety, security and efficiency as the key principles. It is noteworthy that Siginon Aviation is in the final stages of ISAGO certification and has served cargo airlines such as Cargolux, Singapore Air and Safari Express for over a decade. Grace Obuki, the Divisional Manager, says the handler’s move to airside is a commitment by Siginon Aviation to offer its customers better service in a world class facility.
Some of the features of the new air cargo terminal include a general cargo warehouse with an annual throughput of 60,000 tonnes as well as specialised storage areas for dangerous goods and temperature-sensitive and oversized cargo. Moreover, there are 2,000 square metres of basement parking for transit vehicles as well as office space that caters for customer service, banking halls, revenue authorities and airline
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